TIPS + TRICKS
SNUBBER BRIDLE
If you want to rig a long snubber in a bridle, out from the bow to the chain hook and then back on board, but don’t have a pad eye at the waterline, you can also do this from a strong-point on deck. You can also use blocks to increase the length of snubber line you can accommodate on deck.
SEWN EYE
Kernmantle is impossible to splice and difficult to knot – a halyard knot is adequate, but chunky and ungainly. We now use sewn eyes at the end. They can be sewn by the rope maker, sailmakers can sew them or you can do it yourself, using braided dyneema fishing line and then covering the stitching with a shrink fit cover designed for rope to prevent chafe. If you sew yourself you can then sew your chain hook (a hook with an eye) into the eye of the rope.
DEPTH ADVANTAGE
In shallow anchorages where the chain offers little catenary, a long snubber on deck adds elasticity without needing additional line ahead of the bow.
In deep anchorages, you can use the long snubber to compensate for any lack in scope if you don’t have enough chain for a 5:1 scope. 30m of snubbers offers the equivalent of 90m of 10mm chain.
NO YO-YO
Some people may tell you that a long snubber will result in your yacht yo-yoing back and forth. Ignore them. The water offers a dampening effect and there is no more yo-yoing than develops from use of catenary with your chain.
DON’T OVERDO IT
Don’t be persuaded to invest in a snubber as strong as your chain. It will lack elasticity and you will lose most of the snubbing value – and waste your money.
It will seem counter-intuitive but you want the elasticity. Your chain provides the strength, and you can rely on this to hold your boat secure, so you don’t need to spec your snubber for ultimate strength. Chosen the rope and the chain each for their optimum performance.